D’Aquilla has won the 20th JDC district attorney race

Incumbent “Sam” D’Aquilla was able to hold on to his office as District Attorney for the 20th Judicial District Tuesday night snatching 64 percent of the votes away from his challenger David Opperman, according to unofficial results from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office.

Opperman, a 52-year-old attorney who touted experience as an assistant prosecutor in the race, only received 36 percent of the votes in Tuesday night’s election.

D’Aquilla had to endure a controversial race to win he election.

In August, shortly before the qualifying period ended for the Nov. 4 general election, an anonymous person created a website mocking D’Aquilla and accusing him of using his position to grant special legal favors for his friends.

D’Aquilla complained about the site to the state Attorney General’s Office, which had the owner of the website remove the content and pay the state $2,500 as part of a voluntary agreement for violating Louisiana trade and commerce laws.

During the race D’Aquilla pointed to his office’s recent accomplishment of securing a $625,000 grant to support the East Feliciana Parish Drug and Alcohol Awareness Council’s efforts toward preventing substance abuse among youth.

D’Aquilla also said that during his tenure, his office has become more of a presence in the local school systems. Outreach in the community and school systems are two things D’Aquilla hopes to continue doing if re-elected.